Who Is Ian McKellen? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ian McKellen, the esteemed English actor, was born on May 25, 1939, making him 85 years old in 2025. Renowned for his exceptional versatility, McKellen has captivated audiences around the globe with his portrayal of iconic characters in film, television, and theatre. His work spans over six decades, establishing him as a titan in the acting community. He is perhaps best known for his memorable roles as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Magneto in the X-Men series.
| Occupation | Voice Actors |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1939 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Burnley, Lancashire, England |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | England |
Popularity
Ian McKellen's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at 6 feet (1.83 meters), Ian McKellen's presence is as commanding as the characters he portrays. As for his weight, McKellen has maintained a healthy figure, typically weighing around 185 pounds (84 kg). While specific body measurements change over time, his distinguished appearance remains a hallmark of his public persona.
McKellen has a tattoo of the Elvish number nine, written using J. R. R. Tolkien's constructed script of Tengwar, on his shoulder in reference to his involvement in the Lord of the Rings and the fact that his character was one of the original nine companions of the Fellowship of the Ring.
All but one of the other actors of "The Fellowship" (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Sean Bean, Dominic Monaghan and Viggo Mortensen) have the same tattoo (John Rhys-Davies did not get the tattoo, but his stunt double Brett Beattie did).
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ian McKellen is known for being private about his personal life. As of 2025, he is reportedly single but has been openly gay throughout his life. His previous relationships have included a few notable partners, although he has chosen to focus on his illustrious career in recent years. Notably, he is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been an influential figure in the community.
He was their second child, with a sister, Jean, five years his senior. Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, his family moved to Wigan. They lived there until Ian was twelve years old, before relocating to Bolton in 1951 after his father had been promoted.
The experience of living through the war as a young child had a lasting impact on him, and he later said that "only after peace resumed ... did I realise that war wasn't normal".
When an interviewer remarked that he seemed quite calm in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks, McKellen said: "Well, darling, you forget—I slept under a steel plate until I was four years old".
Net Worth and Salary
Ian McKellen's net worth in 2025 is estimated to be around $60 million. This considerable fortune is a result of his extensive career in acting, with contributions spanning theatre, television, and film. His involvement in significant film franchises and high-profile stage productions has allowed him to command impressive salaries over the years. In addition to acting, McKellen has participated in various charitable endeavors which may also contribute to his earnings through rewards and honors.
In 1995, McKellen made his screenwriting debut with Richard III, an ambitious adaptation of William Shakespeare's play of the same name, directed by Richard Loncraine. The film reimagines the play's story and characters to a setting based on 1930s Britain, with Richard depicted as a fascist plotting to usurp the throne.
McKellen stars in the title role alongside an ensemble cast including Annette Bening, Robert Downey Jr., Jim Broadbent, Kristen Scott Thomas, Nigel Hawthorne and Dame Maggie Smith. As executive producer he returned his £50,000 fee to complete the filming of the final battle.
In his review of the film, The Washington Post film critic Hal Hinson called McKellen's performance a "lethally flamboyant incarnation" and said his "florid mastery ... dominates everything".
Film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised McKellen's adaptation and his performance in his four star review writing, "McKellen has a deep sympathy for the playwright ... Here he brings to Shakespeare's most tortured villain a malevolence we are moved to pity. No man should be so evil, and know it.
Hitler and others were more evil, but denied out to themselves. There is no escape for Richard. He is one of the first self-aware characters in the theatre, and for that distinction he must pay the price". His performance in the title role garnered BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and won the European Film Award for Best Actor.
His screenplay was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. That same year, he appeared in the historical drama Restoration (1995) also starring Downey Jr., as well as Meg Ryan, Hugh Grant, and David Thewlis. He also appeared in the British romantic comedy Jack and Sarah (1995) starring Richard E.
Grant, Samantha Mathis, and Judi Dench.
Career, Business and Investments
McKellen's career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple Olivier Awards and a Tony Award. His work on both sides of the Atlantic has made him a household name. In recent years, he has invested in various theatre companies and has participated in productions that promote new and emerging talents. McKellen's business ventures also include investments in film and stage productions, demonstrating his commitment to the arts and culture.
McKellen made his stage debut in 1961 at the Belgrade Theatre as a member of its repertory company, and in 1965 made his first West End appearance. In 1969, he was invited to join the Prospect Theatre Company to play the lead parts in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II.
In the 1970s McKellen became a stalwart of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain. He has earned five Olivier Awards for his roles in Pillars of the Community (1977), The Alchemist (1978), Bent (1979), Wild Honey (1984), and Richard III (1995). McKellen made his Broadway debut in The Promise (1965).
He went on to receive the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus (1980). He was further nominated for Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1984).
He returned to Broadway in Wild Honey (1986), Dance of Death (1990), No Man's Land (2013), and Waiting for Godot (2013), the latter two being a joint production with Patrick Stewart.
Social Network
Ian McKellen is active on social media platforms, where he shares glimpses of his life and work. With a significant following on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, he engages with fans and advocates for causes that are close to his heart. His social media presence emphasizes his dedication to performing arts and social activism, making him an inspiring figure for many.
In 1993, he appeared in minor roles in the television miniseries Tales of the City, based on the novel by his friend Armistead Maupin. Later that year, McKellen appeared in the HBO television film And the Band Played On based on the acclaimed novel of the same name about the discovery of HIV.
For his performance as gay rights activist Bill Kraus, McKellen received the CableACE Award for Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.
From 1993 to 1997 McKellen toured in a one-man show entitled, A Knights Out, about coming out as a gay man. Laurie Winer from The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Even if he is preaching to the converted, McKellen makes us aware of the vast and powerful intolerance outside the comfortable walls of the theatre.
Endowed with a rare technique, he is a natural storyteller, an admirable human being and a hands-on activist". From 1997 to 1998, he starred as Dr. Tomas Stockmann in a revival of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Later that year he played Garry Essendine in the Noël Coward comedy Present Laughter at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
In 1998, he appeared in the modestly acclaimed psychological thriller Apt Pupil, which was directed by Bryan Singer and based on a story by Stephen King.
McKellen portrayed a fugitive Nazi officer living under a false name in the US who is befriended by a curious teenager (Brad Renfro) who threatens to expose him unless he tells his story in detail.
That same year, he played James Whale, the director of Frankenstein in the Bill Condon directed period drama Gods and Monsters, a role for which he was subsequently nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, losing it to Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful (1998).
Education
McKellen studied at the University of Cambridge, specifically at St. Catharine's College, where he earned a degree in English literature. His educational background played a vital role in shaping his performance skills. He later continued to hone his craft at the Bolton School, establishing a strong foundation for his illustrious acting career.
His sister took him to his first Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night, by the amateurs of Wigan's Little Theatre, shortly followed by their Macbeth and Wigan High School for Girls' production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, with music by Mendelssohn, with the role of Bottom played by Jean McKellen, who continued to act, direct, and produce amateur theatre until her death.
